Page 8 October 2012
www.thesoutherncross.org.au
The
Southern Cross
By Rebecca DiGirolamo
The Southern Cross continues its Living Catholic
page which features articles and photographs highlighting
the many good works that often go unnoticed but make a big
difference to people's lives and to the community in general.
Parishes are invited to submit suggestions for stories that
demonstrate in a practical sense Living Catholic. Please send
an email to cathcomm@adelaide.catholic.org.au.
| living catholic
Adelaide's Aboriginal Catholic Ministry has been
supplying toiletries and pyjamas to hundreds
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women,
children and men from as far as Darwin and
remote South Australia receiving lengthy
treatment at hospitals across Adelaide often
without their families.
About 500 of the hand-packed packages have
been used by those in need over the past two
years. They contain essential soap, toothbrush,
toothpaste, pyjamas, shampoo and conditioner,
deodorant, nappies and baby clothes for
patients who often come to Adelaide for
emergency treatment and arrive with little or no
belongings.
"I had nothing," said Kristina Wanganeen, from
Ceduna.
The 33-year-old mum was flown from Ceduna
Hospital in August after going into labour seven
weeks early. She underwent an emergency
caesarean after arriving at the Women's and
Children's Hospital in Adelaide after her baby
boy's heart rate dropped. Reece was born on
August 11. His due date was October 1.
"I was all alone," said Miss Wanganeen. "It was
scary." The pair is due to have returned home
last month (September).
Miss Wanganeen is among about 60 women,
babies and children to have received the unique
bags at the Women's and Children's Hospital
since they were re-launched by the Otherway
Centre in February.
"These basic items are greatly appreciated by
the patients and their families as it eases the
stress even if by a small amount," said Women's
and Children's Hospital Aboriginal Patient
Pathway Officer Nora Sevallos. She recently
returned to the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry's
Otherway Centre in Stepney to collect more
bags.
"We can't keep up with the demand," said
Otherway Centre manager Gaye McMahon.
"The response has been amazing," she said.
"Clients are moved by this act of generosity and
are amazed at the care and concern shown to
them by this ministry," said Ms McMahon.
While it's the new mums and baby bags which
are most popular, bags for children, teenagers,
men and women are also being offered to
patients in need by the Indigenous units of
Adelaide's major hospitals . There is also an art
bag, with a canvas, paints, pencils and blank
paper for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
patients in hospital for extended periods of time.
The toiletry bag program began in 2010 and was
resurrected earlier this year following a generous
donation from the military and hospitaller order
of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem commandery of
South Australia.
The Otherway Centre is the hub of the Adelaide
Archdiocese's Aboriginal Catholic Ministry which
supports Aboriginal people, prisoners, homeless,
refugees and other vulnerable people.
Ms McMahon said the toiletry bag program, like
many of the ministry's services, relied heavily
on donations. She said the St Vincent de Paul
Society Dulwich/Burnside conference and
Catholic Charities had provided donations, sewn
bags and volunteered time packing bags.
The centre is looking for donations for the
bags and anyone with sewing experience.
Contact Gaye McMahon on 8362 3185 or
gm@acc.asn.au.
Parishes, multicultural communities,
schools and community groups are
being urged to nominate individuals
for the 2012 Archbishop's Awards.
Archbishop Wilson said the awards
were an important part of the Living
Catholic motto adopted by the
diocese to help promote the good
work of the Church and its people.
"There are tens of thousands of
Catholics in our community who are
extraordinary in the things they are
doing in their daily life for God," he
said.
"These awards are an opportunity
to recognise these unsung heroes
who are making a difference to the
lives of others and who personify
what Living Catholic is all about."
The awards recognise outstanding
service in three categories: parish
life within the archdiocese, the
community of South Australia and
the education of young South
Australians.
Award nominees will be invited to
a garden party at the Archbishop's
House on Saturday December
15 and winners will be presented
to the Catholic community at the
11am Mass in St Francis Xavier's
Cathedral on Sunday December 16.
Nomination forms are available at
www.adelaide.catholic.org.au and
must be submitted by October 29.
Unsung heroes
BIG LOVE: Kristina Wanganeen, from Ceduna, made an emergency
dash to Adelaide in August for the early delivery of her son Reece. She
is among 60 women to have received toiletry bags from the Otherway
Centre during her hospital stay.
Photo: Nat Rogers
Good things come
in little packages